The unspoken norms and values taught in schools (obedience to authority, punctuality, competition, hierarchy). Functionalists see it as positive socialisation; Marxists see it as preparing workers for capitalism (Bowles & Gintis, 1976 – correspondence principle).
Would you like a set of model essay plans for specific 9699 past paper questions (e.g., "Assess the Marxist view of the family" or "Evaluate labelling theory as an explanation of crime")?
For students taking the Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology (9699), mastering the syllabus requires a blend of structural understanding, theoretical depth, and evaluative skill. This write-up breaks down the essential components of the course to help you organize your study notes effectively. 1. The Core AS Level (Paper 1 & 2)
The AS Level focuses on the foundations of sociology and the primary socialization unit: the family.
Socialization and the Creation of Social Identity: Focus on the "Nature vs. Nurture" debate. Your notes should include key functionalist perspectives (Parsons) versus Marxist and Feminist views on how identity is imposed.
Methods of Research: This is the "science" of sociology. Differentiate clearly between Positivism (quantitative data, reliability) and Interpretivism (qualitative data, validity).
The Family: Key themes include the transition from extended to nuclear families, the "dark side" of the family (domestic violence), and the impact of industrialization. 2. The A Level Depth (Paper 3 & 4)
The A2 syllabus moves into specialized "Global Topics" that require more complex analysis.
Education: Analyze why certain groups underachieve. Compare Cultural Deprivation theories against Material Deprivation and "Within-School" factors like labeling and subcultures.
Global Development: Study the gap between the Global North and South. Contrast Modernization Theory (Rostow) with Dependency Theory (Frank). sociology 9699 notes
Media: Focus on ownership and control. Are the media "Pluralist" (giving us what we want) or a tool of "Ideological State Apparatus" (Marxist view)?
Religion: Explore whether religion is a conservative force (maintaining the status quo) or a force for social change (Weber’s Protestant Ethic). 3. Essential "Big Name" Theorists
Your notes are incomplete without these foundational thinkers. Ensure you can apply them to almost any topic:
(Marxism): Conflict between the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat; false class consciousness. Emile Durkheim
(Functionalism): Social solidarity, organic vs. mechanical solidarity, and the "organic analogy."
(Social Action): The importance of "Verstehen" (empathetic understanding) and the rise of bureaucracy. Ann Oakley
(Feminism): Gender roles and the dual burden/triple shift in the household. 4. Exam Strategy & Skill Keywords
To move from a "C" to an "A," your notes must reflect the assessment objectives:
AO1 (Knowledge & Understanding): Define your terms (e.g., Social Mobility, Patriarchy). The unspoken norms and values taught in schools
AO2 (Interpretation & Application): Use contemporary examples (e.g., using social media trends to explain the "Global Village").
AO3 (Analysis & Evaluation): Always use the "However..." approach. If you present a Functionalist view, immediately counter it with a Marxist or Postmodernist critique. 5. Recommended Resources Official Textbook: Cambridge International AS and A Level Sociology Coursebook (Chris Livesey).
Revision Sites: Sociology Support and ZNotes provide condensed versions of these units.
Past Papers: The 9699 syllabus changes slightly every few years; focus on papers from 2021 onwards for the most relevant question formats.
For Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology (9699), effective notes should focus on the four core papers and the ability to evaluate different theoretical perspectives (Functionalism, Marxism, Interpretivism, etc.) . Syllabus Overview The syllabus is divided into AS and A Level components:
Paper 1: Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research (AS Level) – Covers the process of learning social norms, social control, and the "how-to" of sociological research (data types, sampling, ethics) .
Paper 2: The Family (AS Level) – Focuses on perspectives on the role of the family, social change, and changing gender roles .
Paper 3: Education (A Level) – Analyzes the role of education in social mobility and why certain social classes, ethnicities, or genders achieve more than others .
Paper 4: Globalisation, Media and Religion (A Level) – Explores how global forces, media ownership, and religious movements impact modern society . Key Resources for Notes Key Sociologists:
Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology (9699) explores the complex relationship between individuals and society, moving from the foundational concepts of identity to global issues like inequality and secularization. The syllabus is built on two primary pillars: mastering systematic sociological theory (like Functionalism, Marxism, and Feminism) and applying rigorous research methods to analyze social phenomena. Core AS Level Focus (Paper 1 & 2) A-Level Sociology 9699 Syllabus Overview | PDF - Scribd
Topic: Paper 3 – Education Perspective: Functionalism Key Thinker: Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons
Core Argument: Education is a positive, harmonious system that benefits both the individual and society.
Point 1: Social Solidarity (Durkheim)
Point 2: Bridge to Adulthood (Parsons)
The biggest mistake students make is writing notes that are too long. After an A-Level course, you should be able to condense Paper 1 down to four sides of A4. Here is the "Mastery Method."
Paper 1: Socialisation, Identity & Methods of Research
Paper 2: The Family